About Cinnabar
Mercury sulfide, known for its bright scarlet to brick-red color. Historically used as a pigment. It's a potent stone of transformation and abundance, associated with alchemy. (Highly toxic due to mercury content, handle with extreme care).
Primary Hues
Bright Red, Scarlet, Brownish-Red, Grey, (Toxic, contains mercury, handle with extreme care, do not ingest or create dust)
Metaphysical Properties
A stone of transformation and manifestation (use with extreme caution). Believed to attract abundance and stimulate vitality. Associated with alchemy.
Associated Tarot Cards
The Magician
Type: Major Arcana
Rationale: Represents alchemy- transformation- and manifestation of will- aligning with Cinnabar's historical use.
The Devil
Type: Major Arcana
Rationale: Symbolizes material wealth and power- connecting to Cinnabar's reputation as the "Merchant's Stone".
Associated Deities
Hermes/Mercury
Pantheon: Greek/Roman
Domain: Commerce- Messengers- Alchemy
Rationale: Cinnabar is mercury sulfide- directly linking it to the deity of commerce and alchemy.
Thoth
Pantheon: Egyptian
Domain: Wisdom- Magic- Writing
Rationale: Thoth's role as a magician and source of knowledge aligns with Cinnabar's alchemical uses.
Metaphysical Uses
Wealth Attraction (Symbolic)
Transformation Rituals (Symbolic)
Personal Power Meditation (Symbolic)
Please read our Metaphysical Disclaimer
Geological & Scientific Details
Cinnabar is classified as a sulfide mineral mineral which typically crystallizes in the trigonal system. Its chemical formula is Mercury(II) sulfide, HgS. Common crystal habits include rhombohedral to tabular; granular to massive and as incrustations.
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Sulfide mineral
- Chemical Formula: Mercury(II) sulfide, HgS
- IMA Symbol: Cin[1]
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Predominant Geological Color: Cochineal-red, towards brownish red and lead-gray
- Crystal Habit: Rhombohedral to tabular; granular to massive and as incrustations
- Twinning: Simple contact twins, twin plane {0001}
- Cleavage: Prismatic {1010}, perfect
- Luster: Adamantine to dull
- Streak: Scarlet
- Diaphaneity: Transparent in thin pieces